Open Meeting Law Compliance and Cure 1510
HAGERMAN JOINT SCHOOL DISTRICT NO. 233
Open Meeting Law Compliance and Cure
Formation of Public Policy at Open Meetings
The District recognizes that the formation of public policy is public business and shall not be conducted in secret. The District further recognizes the goal of the Open Meeting Law is compliance, and that in order to achieve compliance, the District must have the ability to correct any errors.
Violations
If an action, or any deliberation or decision-making that leads to an action, occurs at any meeting which fails to comply with the guidelines set forth in Idaho’s Open Meeting laws, such action shall be null and void.
The Board may self-recognize an open meeting violation or receive written notice to the Clerk of the Board of an alleged violation. A civil complaint filed and served upon the Board may serve as written notice.
An individual Board member who conducts or participates in a meeting which violations the Open Meeting Law is subject to a civil penalty of up to two hundred fifty dollars ($250.00). A knowing violation is subject to a civil penalty of up to one thousand five hundred dollars ($1,500.00). A second knowing violation within a twelve month time period is subject to a civil penalty of up to two thousand five hundred dollars ($2,500).
Cure Provision
A violation may be cured by the Board upon:
1. The Board’s self-recognition of a violation; or
2. Receipt by the Clerk of a written notice of an alleged violation. A civil complaint filed and served upon the Board may be substituted for other forms of written notice. Upon notice of an alleged open meeting violation, the Board shall have 14 days to respond publicly and either acknowledge the open meeting violation and state an intent to cure the violation or state that Board has determined that no violation has occurred and that no cure is necessary. Failure to respond shall be treated as a denial of any violation.
Following the Board’s acknowledgment of a violation, the Board shall have 14 days to cure the violation by declaring as void all actions taken at or resulting from the meeting in violation of the Open Meeting Law.
Within 14 days of acknowledging the violation, and stating an intent to cure, the Board shall cure the violation by holding a properly noticed meeting to address the voided actions. The Board may then address the voided actions and lawfully take the desired action in accordance with the Open Meeting Law. Curing the violation in this manner bars any civil penalty for an unintentional violation. Private enforcement actions are stayed during the cure period.
Ratification
Any suit brought for the purpose of having an action or decision declared null and void must be commenced within 30 days of the decision or action that results from an open meeting violation. Actions taken in violation of the Open Meeting Law are not void unless they are challenged within 30 days. Even where an action is not challenged within 30 days, it is the best practice to cure any known violation by holding a meeting in accordance with the law to ratify a decision or action that results from an open meeting violation.
Legal Reference: I.C. § 74-201 Formation of Public Policy at Open Meetings
I.C. § 74-202 Open Public Meetings – Definitions
I.C. § 74-203 Governing Bodies—Requirement for Open Public Meetings
I.C. § 74-204 Notice of Meetings
I.C. § 74-208 Violations
City of McCall v. Buxton, 146 Idaho 656 (2009)
Policy History:
Adopted on: 1/11/2016
Reviewed on:
Revised on: